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Ranking the 50 best college football players for 2016

By Connor Muldowney

Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 7, 2015; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; LSU Tigers running back Leonard Fournette (7) runs the ball during the fourth quarter against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Alabama won 30-16. Mandatory Credit: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports /
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Sep 26, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) rushes against the Florida Gators during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 28-27. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 26, 2015; Gainesville, FL, USA; Tennessee Volunteers defensive end Derek Barnett (9) rushes against the Florida Gators during the second half at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Florida Gators defeated the Tennessee Volunteers 28-27. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Derek Barnett can be scary-good if he keeps improving like he has through his first two seasons in Knoxville. The former four-star defensive end from Nashville, Tenn., began his career with an unbelievable freshman season followed by an equally as impressive sophomore campaign.

As a freshman in 2014, the defensive end finished with 72 total tackles, 20.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and eight quarterback hurries. In 2015, he followed that up with 69 tackles, 12.5 tackles for loss, 10 sacks and seven quarterback hurries.

Barnett has started 23 out of 26 career games and looks to be one of the SEC’s premier defensive linemen. It’s tough to compete with the likes of Alabama when it comes to defensive talent, but the Volunteers currently have themselves a gem in the junior in-state product.

The 6-foot-3, 235-pound star of the defensive line is athletic and strong for his size. He has the ability to find his way into the backfield before the offensive lineman has a chance to even take a step and the one thing he does need to work on is controlling his pursuit of the ball-carrier.

As a defensive end, it’s tough to not over-pursue when you have the ability to blow past the opposition, but the defensive end needs to remain centered and square up the ball-carrier or else he’ll be left chasing him down — although he does have the ability to do so.

Another big year is in the works for Barnett and he could reach the 15-sack plateau if he puts in the work.

Next: 42. Christian Kirk

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